Worker Well-being

Family-Friendly Factory Program

Our worker well-being programs support thousands of workers employed at factories around the world. We welcome businesses of all sizes and nature to get involved - together, we can create a better life for workers worldwide.

What is a Family-Friendly Factory?

A Family-Friendly Factory is one which has considered the distinct needs of its employees with family & carer responsibilities. The Family-Friendly Factory program works to improve factory policies and environments to support working parents.

Factories are empowered to create their own family-friendly policies and provide facilities that promote a positive family-work balance. Each factory entering the Family-Friendly Factory program undertakes an initial needs assessment from which a bespoke program of policies, facilities and activities will be suggested to address these needs.

Elements of a Family-Friendly Factory may include

Providing employer-funded childcare through implementing ESCP's Family-Friendly Spaces program
A circle with books on it
Employer-funded training and support for parents, helping them to develop new skills
A red and blue clock with a white tick on it
Workplace policies which offer parents benefits such as flexible working arrangements and enhanced parental leave

What does the program achieve?

A Family-Friendly Factory supports working parents by creating policies and environments that improve their quality of life.

Through the Family-Friendly Factory program, we help factories implement tailored solutions such as employer-funded childcare, improved workplace policies and training. Through empowering factories across China, Vietnam, and Mexico, we are helping businesses alleviate promote a healthier work-life balance and driving better supply chains.
No Family-Friendly Factory is the same, the program is implemented based on the direct needs of workers at each factory.

Learn more about how we can amplify your impact.

Learn about our employer-funded childcare
"There’s a system that allows dual-income families to request shift adjustments, even if your partner works at another company; this means that one of us is always present with our child in the evenings. I hope to work here for a long time and be part of the factory's continued success"

– Worker at a Family-Friendly Factory

Why did we develop it?

ESCP, along with UNICEF’s Family-Friendly Policies guidance and expert advice, developed the program to optimise family-friendly policies in order to create a working environment that improves the physical and mental wellbeing of workers.

Our research showed a lack of affordable, safe and accessible childcare was the no.1 reason why factory workers were leaving their jobs. We understand the importance of listening to workers and the Family-Friendly Factory (FFF) program helps factories to do this.

The Family-Friendly Factory program encourages factories to implement policies that create a working environment that allows parents and caregivers to balance work and personal life and the care of children.

Learn More

Since 2021, ESCP has been piloting the initiative at four ESCP-certified factories, with guidance from UNICEF, with the four following aims:

Develop & implement suitable family-friendly policy
Expand FFF policy and facilities to all program users
The toy industry pioneering family-friendly workplaces
Deliver benefits to more worker and their children

About the Ethical Supply Chain Program

Our program focuses on social sustainability issues which impact well-being of workers involved in goods & products manufactured globally. Our requirements incorporate best practice and are reviewed on an ongoing basis to reflect the needs of all stakeholders in the supply chain.

We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact, see here how our program promotes the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn More

Latest Updates

All News & Blogs
Event
April 25, 2025
Join us at Rethink HK 2025

The Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) is proud to be announced as an NGO Partner for Rethink HK, this September 11th-12th 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Blog
April 24, 2025
The UK Modern Slavery Act 10 years on - progress has been made but much more needs to be done.

This Month's guest blog article is written by Neill Wilkins, Head of the Migrant Worker Programme at the

Institute for Human Rights and Business. Neill shares with us an update on progress made since the UK Modern Slavery act was first introduced including new guidance and expert organisations providing support to businesses. 

News
April 16, 2025
Cradle to Cradle Certified® welcomes Ethical Supply Chain Program as approved Social Fairness partner

The partnership will help support companies looking to meet Social Fairness requirements